262runr

I'm looking at hotels to leave my car for 16 days near airport. I've never been to Newark or NJ for that matter so I'm not familiar with the area. I'm only flying out of Newark (from DE) because I wanted a non-stop flight (Tokyo) otherwise BWI cuz PHL sucks but that's a whole different story. I've looked at all the hotels that offer park/fly options but only a few have 14+ days. My top choice would be the Country Inn & Suites which would be 1 night stay & 16 days parking around $160. It's a couple miles from EWR & located near a Jersey Gardens or some type of mall. Is this an OK area??? If parking at EWR wasn't so expensive I'd just drive up early and park there but not paying almost $300 when I can save money & get a room the night before. I'm going to Japan so I need to save all the $$ I can!

doug_stallings

Couldn't you simply take a train to the airport? It would be about the same cost, and then you'd have the safety of having your car at home rather than in an airport parking lot. The train from Newark, DE takes about 2 hours, so unless you are leaving or arriving very late, that seems a better solution to me, especially if you are traveling alone. You could also take a train to Newark Penn Station and then a taxi to the airport; it would cost a bit more but might be more convenient since not all trains stop at the airport station.

262runr

Hey Doug, there is 2 of us + very limited train service on Sundays. Amtrak would be like $400+ for 2 people between Wilmington/EWR and the only train will get me there 5.5 hrs before my flight.

bspielman

The Amtrak website shows ten trains running from Wilmington to EWR on a typical Sunday, most of them departing hourly from about 10 a.m. to 5.p.m., with fares ranging from $114 to $188 for two passengers, less any discount (AAA-10%, Senior-15%, etc.).

Sixteen days later would be a Tuesday. The typical Tuesday EWR–WIL schedule shows seven trains, running about every other hour, from $88 to $158 for two, again less discounts.

So, the round-trip fare for two would be $202 to $346, less discounts. The trip takes about 1-1/2 hours.

owlwoman

Have you checked out Fast Track for off airport parking, they have self parks from $8 / day to valet for about $12, they take you door to door to the terminal and pick you up. That's what we recently did for a 6 day trip, paid $62.00 for parking. Very convenient too.

I could see not wanting to take the train, drag bags to station (via taxi?), then to airport, etc. I like throwing them in the trunk and just going!

Fra_Diavolo

In the past, we've stayed overnight at the Newark Airport Hilton or the Marriott when we had an early morning departure. I'm not sure if it is still in effect, but at one time a night's stay came with a number of days' free parking. You might want to give each a call and see what they offer.

gail

At other hotels in other cities, we find the best way to get parking for free or less cost is to call hotel directly during normal business hours and talk to desk clerk or, if necessary manager. Sometimes they will cut you a deal - which the website obviously will not do. Good luck.

262runr

thanks everyone, gotta love this site!

I've been comparing prices and while there are some nice hotels (marriott & hilton), they only offer limited parking with 1 nights stay. additional parking costs the same as the airport. As mentioned b4, the hotels near jersey gardens seem the most affordable so hopefully the area is OK being by a mall.

I doubled checked amtrak again. There is 2 trains leaving early enough for our 11am flight. It will cost $228 for 2 people (one way). The hotel option would be much cheaper.

I checked fast track for $11 a day parking rates which isnt bad, about $190 for parking per the site.

I'm trying not to get all stressed about it. I'm thinking about staying a night since the airport seems so far away. I'd hate to get caught up in traffic or break down the day of my flight. I even checked the rental car option, very cheap going up from DE to EWR but renting at EWR is 3x more. ouch!

bspielman

You may be misreading Amtrak's fares. Their site asks you for the number of passengers, then reports fares for that number of passengers, not for each passenger.